Where to eat

"Hello? Yes, I'm on the terrine."

We have a simple but excellent value restaurant in Ancinnes, just 200m from our front door, whilst for something more up-market there is a huge choice of restaurants at Alençon and two restaurants at Neufchatel -en-Saosnois.

Most restaurants in Alençon open at 7.30pm for evening meals, though there are a few that open earlier. Many restaurants close on Sundays and public holidays and take their annual holidays for a fortnight in July or August.

Ancinnes - walking distance

The "Auberge de la Boule d'Or" is our local bar and restaurant, just two minutes away on foot. It offers amazing value for money: a choice of four starters and four main courses plus cheese, pudding and coffee for 11 euros. They will prepare a simpler children's meal if required. Please tip generously - at these prices, you can afford to! Utterly unpretentious, the décor is 'rustic' but for good, honest food a short walk away in a relaxed atmosphere then it's perfect. In the evening you may have the restaurant to yourselves, most trade being lunchtime.

Open lunchtime and evening - best arrive between 6.00pm and 7.30pm lest it shuts early.

Closed Sunday and Monday. No cards.

Annual holidays are usually last 2 weeks of August.

Bourg le Roi - 5 mins by car

The "Bistrot de l'Olivier" is just 4km (2.5 mi.)away at Bourg le Roi. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes, Friday and Saturday evenings. A very popular, cheery little family-run bistrot, next door to the village bar. Tel. 02.33.26.68.75 to book.

Restaurants In Town

Alençon is just 10 minutes away by car and has a huge choice of restaurants - our recommendations are shown on the map below. There are also a couple of restaurants at St Paterne just before you get to Alençon.

The Leclerc shopping centre near the A28 Exit 19 has fast food and snack outlets - a very good sandwich bar, a bar-bistro and a Flunch inside the Leclerc building, plus a McDonalds on the roundabout next to the main road.

Neufchatel-en-Saosnois

"Ma Maison" at Neufchatel-en-Saosnois, 10 mins by car, has fabulous food and eccentric bohemian decor (but probably not suitable for young children). Starters about 10 euros, main courses 15-20 euros, dessert 6 euros. From France tel. 02 43 97 74 19. Open every evening Wednesday to Sunday - opening time 8.00pm.

Also at Neufchatel is "Les Etangs de Guibert", another excellent restaurant in a nice setting overlooking a wooded lake. Menus 20-38 euros. From France tel. 02 43 97 15 38. Open Tuesday to Saturday midday and evening, plus Sunday lunchtime.